Callaway Azaleas

Spring Dance I'm calling this one. Working en plein air this Spring at Callaway Gardens.

Center Composition

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Sometimes the focal point is just smack dab in the middle, but having interesting colors and textures that surround the main focal point create supporting focal areas that can move the eye around making the compostion work. Quoting from Edgar Payne, "the placement of the main point of attraction in composition is important. Regardless of its location on the canvas or whether it is large or small, it needs balance by it surrounding parts. If the main attraction area is small the rest of the picture should not over come it by presenting similar or equal interest. The principal attraction should not be placed too near the edge of the canvas."

Peppermint Azalea

Azalea!

Azalea walk close to gardens restaurant April 2007.

Walking the Azalea Trails of Callaway

Azalea Walking Trails April 2007 Callaway Gardens

Azalea Walking Trails

Azalea Walking Trails near the Gardens restaurant Callaway Gardens April 2007.

Stickability

"With the student who has real "stickability" a genuine failure is often better than a half-way success." Edgar Payne

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Why paint; why paintings?

We enjoy paintings and painting because all of us need a distraction from our lives. In paintings as well as the act of painting, we find peace of mind and relaxation. Even more than that, we all have the need to express ourselves, to understand each other and to be understood. Paintings help us communicate with each other on a different level than language.

Reading Books

I've long been a collector of art books, art books about paintings and art books about painting. The reason I collect art books is two fold. First, I enjoy looking at art that others have done and second, I enjoy reading about the lives of other artists either my contemporaries or those that have long since pasted this Earth. Each book I pick up gives me clues to how I either want to paint or a clue to a particular method or material. The problem is I find myself carrying them around without really reading or putting them under my pillow at night, I guess I do this in hopes that somehow by osmosis the words will process to my brain and will be forever more mine. Well, for me there is always hope.

Painting 99

What is the first step to creating a painting? For the most part, it's found in the thinking process. How you think and of course how you learn is the greatest single factor in any creative process. Except for those with natural talent or genius all of us must find our individual way by studying the different methods that others before us have found to be successful. King Solomon said "There is nothing new under the sun." so with this in mind I begin my studies. It's my goal to be able to apply something I've learned to a painting I do each day. Given my current schedule, it might not be possible to keep up with a painting each day, but I'll certainly do my best.